Nashua Planning Board Meeting – June 5, 2026
Nashua Planning Board Meeting – June 5, 2026
The Nashua Planning Board met on June 5, 2026, to consider a conditional use permit for a tobacco shop relocation and two subdivision applications. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from the annual business meeting and regular meeting of January 9, 2025, without modification.
- Staff provided updates on active cases: 11 Michelle Drive (updated plans and abutters correspondence), 3 Swartz Street (updated staff report), and Daniel Webster Highway (engineering letter received).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Conditional Use Permit (Daniel Webster Highway): No public testimony was offered.
- Subdivision – 11 Michelle Drive: Dan Richardson (70 Berkeley Street) expressed concerns about potential blasting, questioned the adequacy of drawings, and raised issues about lot configuration and historic district compatibility. He asked whether the subdivision plan sufficiently accounted for future building.
- Subdivision – 3 Swartz Street: Dan Richardson again spoke, questioning the orientation of the hypothetical future house (facing Swartz Street rather than Concord Street), the prevalence of overhead versus underground utilities, and the buildability of the smaller lot. He also inquired about the lot line placement and the ability to build a garage.
Discussion Items
- Conditional Use Permit (E25-0005) – 290-294 Daniel Webster Highway: Applicant Brian Garamillo requested approval to relocate an existing tobacco/vape shop from Unit 8 to Unit 6 in the same plaza. The business has operated since 2020 and the owner would remain the same. Two waivers were requested: (1) from the 1,000-foot separation requirement (the nearest similar business is approximately 750 feet away) and (2) from showing existing conditions on adjacent properties. The board noted the relocation is only about 40 feet and the business is pre-existing. Both waivers and the conditional use permit were approved unanimously, with a condition to obtain an updated sewer permit before certificate of occupancy.
- Subdivision (A24-026) – 11 Michelle Drive: Attorney Elizabeth Hardigan presented a two-lot subdivision of a large lot. Three waivers were requested: not showing existing conditions within 1,000 feet, no lighting plan (no changes proposed), and no underground utilities (existing overhead utilities). The board discussed abutter concerns about blasting; Mr. Varley noted that any future blasting would require separate permits and compliance with city ordinances. Staff confirmed that engineering comments were resolved. The waivers and subdivision were approved unanimously with 13 conditions.
- Subdivision (A24-027) – 3 Swartz Street: Earl Blatchford presented a two-lot subdivision of a 1.365-acre lot at the corner of Concord and Swartz streets. The applicant had obtained a use variance and special exception from the zoning board for an accessory structure (garage and shed) that would become a principal structure on one lot. Three waivers similar to the previous case were requested. The board discussed future driveway access, the historic district, and the potential for hardship. The waivers and subdivision were approved unanimously with 12 conditions.
Key Outcomes
- Conditional Use Permit (E25-0005): Approved unanimously (8-0) with a condition to obtain a new sewer permit prior to certificate of occupancy.
- Subdivision (A24-026): Approved unanimously (8-0) with 13 conditions.
- Subdivision (A24-027): Approved unanimously (8-0) with 12 conditions.
- Regional Impact Determination: No projects of regional significance were identified; the board unanimously concurred.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. I'd like to call to order the February 6th, 2025, City of Nashua Planning Board meeting. Roll call. Our secretary is not here this evening. Is someone on staff? Oh, Larry, you're able to do awesome. I can do it, I think. Go right ahead, please. Thank you. Mayor Donches. Mike Peterson. Bob Bollinger. Here. Adam Varley. Here. Maggie Harper. Dan Hudson. Here. Scott LeClair. Larry Hirsch here. Patricia Clee. Here. All right. Thank you, Mr. Hirsch. We have a quorum. Next item on the agenda, approval of minutes. There are two sets of minutes. The first is from our annual business meeting of January 9th, 2025. And the second is our regular meeting also of January 9th, 2025. Has any member of the board had an opportunity to review those minutes and is willing to make a motion regarding their acceptance or suggest possible modifications? Mr. Varley. As to the regular meeting, I would make a motion to approve the minutes as written. All right, thank you. Uh motion by Mr. Varley. Is there a second? Second by Mr. Hirsch. Any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. None opposed. Any abstentions? I I am still going to um not abstain. I did watch the meeting, so I um I am in favor of the minutes. Certainly. Thank you, Alderman Clee, for the clarification. Um motion passes.
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